Cooper Flagg Hyped as Generational Player by CBB Fans as Star Lifts Duke Past Arizona

It's still early in the season, but there is mounting evidence that Cooper Flagg is going to be the best version of himself in the biggest games.

Duke's super freshman put up 24 points on 10-of-22 shooting, six rebounds, three assists and two blocks in 38 minutes in the Blue Devils' 69-55 road win over No. 17 Arizona on Friday night.

There has been no shortage of hype around Flagg for years at this point. He was regarded as the top recruit in the 2025 class before reclassifying last year to be part of the 2024-25 recruiting cycle.

Playing on the Team USA select team this summer, Flagg was touted as a "man amongst men" going up against the U.S. Olympic squad in scrimmages.

Now, just five games into his college career, Flagg is receiving the "generational" tag from fans after a dominant performance against a Wildcats team that has won at least 27 games in each of the past three seasons.

Flagg was coming off a modest performance, at least by his standards, in Duke's 86-35 win over Wofford on Nov. 16. He didn't have to exert much effort in that game because it was over by halftime, but he still finished with eight points, nine rebounds, six assists, three steals and two blocks.

Going up against a higher-caliber opponent in his first true road contest, Flagg was the standout player in a game that also featured reigning Pac-12 Player of the Year Caleb Love.

Love finished with just eight points on 3-of-13 shooting. The Wildcats were held to 39.6 percent shooting against Duke's defense and were outrebounded 43-30, as they dropped their second straight game.

Flagg's two highest scoring games have come against Arizona and Kentucky. He is meeting and exceeding all of the hype that surrounded him when he committed to Duke in October 2023.

Things won't get easier for Flagg or the Blue Devils in their next game. They will take on No. 1 Kansas at T-Mobile Arena on Tuesday.